Virginia Gail Mannon Lay Palmer was the only child of Kenneth and Flora Mannon. She was born March 1, 1953 in Claremore, Oklahoma. She went to sleep on October 27, 2016 at the age of 63 at home in Chandler, Oklahoma surrounded by loved ones.

She dedicated her life to serve Jehovah and was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses fifty years ago, on September 10, 1966.

She was part of the Chandler Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses for over twenty-five years. Following Jesus example, she really loved talking to ones about her God, Jehovah, and His Kingdom. Her faith in the Bible's promises of the Paradise Earth and the resurrection was unbreakable.

She graduated from Choctaw High School in 1971 as the Salutatorian.

As a young woman she worked for Sears, then she worked as a Data Entry Clerk for Southwestern Bell. Her fellow workers gave her the nickname 'Radar' because she could hear so well.

Throughout her life she loved animals, especially cats. She also loved music, listening to it, singing and playing the guitar. She was creative and enjoyed drawing and writing. She was probably best known for her ability to talk, especially on the phone at 10:00 at night. The first five or so 'goodbye's' would immediately be followed by a brand new topic of conversation.

She married Gary Lay September 6, 1975 in McLoud, Oklahoma. They had two children, Jeremy and Rebecca Lay. Virginia wanted more children, but sadly lost three pregnancies. After Gary passed away, Virginia married Thomas Palmer on January 31, 2009 in Chandler, Oklahoma. They had a very happy, loving marriage, and 'her Tommy' cared for her throughout her illness.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Gary Lay, her son, Jeremy Lay, three unborn children, an unborn grandchild, and her father, Kenneth Mannon. She was also preceded in death by an unborn stepchild, an infant grandchild, Caysee Reed, and others.

She is survived by her husband, Thomas Palmer, her daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca and Noah Lancaster, three grandsons, Tristan, Bryce and Brayden Lancaster, and her mother, Flora Mannon, all of Chandler, Oklahoma. She is also survived by seven step children and their families, Martin and Frances Palmer of Chandler, Oklahoma, Bryan and Shana Palmer of Perry, Oklahoma, Renay and Brett Reed of Oswego, New York, Shelly Teter of Oklahoma, Cory and Amanda Palmer of Rescue, California, Kelly and Duanea Palmer of Gateway, Montana, Michael and Kristi Palmer of Gateway, Montana, many grandchildren and great grandchildren. She will be missed by family and friends too numerous to list.

Her favorite Scripture became Luke 7:11-15 after the loss of her son Jeremy. It comforted her and strengthened her hope of seeing him again in the resurrection. Now this same Scripture comforts us and gives us hope of seeing her again in the resurrection. It says: "Soon afterward he traveled to a city called Na'in, and his disciples and a large crowd were traveling with him. As he got near the gate of the city, why look! there was a dead man being carried out, the only son of his mother. Besides, she was a widow. A considerable crowd from the city was also with her. When the Lord caught sight of her, he was moved with pity for her, and he said to her: “Stop weeping.” With that he approached and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. Then he said: “Young man, I say to you, get up!” And the dead man sat up and started to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother."

A graveside funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, November 3, 2016 at the Kellerby Cemetery in Sparks, Oklahoma.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Lehman Funeral Home of Wellston.